IEBC Bomas talks fail to end NASA, Jubilee row over fresh poll

The National Super Alliance has failed to reach an agreement with the electoral commission after holding a consultative meeting at the Bomas of Kenya on Tuesday.

Addressing the press at Bomas after the closed-door session, Siaya Senator James Orengo said that none of the issues the Opposition had raised as pre-conditions for the repeat presidential poll has been met or responded to.

“The Supreme Court didn’t rule elections must be held on 26th. We insist our demands [irreducible minimums] must be met for purposes of having an election, and in accordance with the Constitution,” Orengo stated.

The Senator, however, added that they will be having another meeting with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) later on Tuesday where they expect their demands will be addressed.

“The best that has happened is that we will have another meeting and expect Commission will respond substantially to issues raised. If we go the route set out by Commission, elections will be held within 60 days but it will not be held in accordance with the law,” Orengo noted.

At the same time, the NASA coalition maintained they would go on with their weekly anti-IEBC protests until the polls agency heeds to their demands. They maintain the Constitution grants them the right to demonstrate.

The electoral commission was scheduled to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga separately, unlike last time where Jubilee and NASA teams held a joint meeting.

Deputy President William Ruto represented the president at the consultative meeting. The DP arrived at Bomas some minutes after 4 pm accompanied by Jubilee leaders Kipchumba Murkomen, Aden Duale and Davis Chirchir.

After a closed-door meeting that lasted less than an hour, DP Ruto announced they had come to a common ground with the electoral commission.

He said: “We are happy with preparations put in place by IEBC on the repeat polls. As a party we have no conditions, we are ready for the elections, we believe IEBC officials have what it takes to manage the polls.”

Addressing the press after the talks, the IEBC Chairman stated “NASA had a lot of issues called irreducible minimums. Most of them have been resolved by IEBC.  In two days time, IEBC will publish agreements reached on election preparation.”

He went further to state: “Jubilee has no issues. They want the election on October 26.”

Among the demands the opposition has fronted is firing and prosecution of 10 IEBC officials among them the chief executive officer, Ezra Chiloba, and blacklisting of technology firm OT-Morpho and printer Al Ghurair from the repeat election.

NASA is also protesting the October 26 date set for the fresh election after NASA principal Raila Odinga claimed that IEBC wants to gift the President on his birthday.

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Chebukati IEBC ruto raila odinga President Uhuru Kenyatta william ruto Uhuru bomas of kenya orengo Bomas October election

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